Sports Ministry Imposes Ad-Hoc Rule on Handball and Karate Federations
In a significant move to resolve administrative chaos, the Sports Ministry has officially placed both handball and karate under the ad-hoc body rule. This directive mandates the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to take over the day-to-day operations of these federations. The primary objective is to guarantee a fair and transparent selection process for athletes representing India at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
Internal Disputes Jeopardize Athlete Prospects
Through separate official orders issued for each sport, the ministry highlighted severe organizational issues. It cited internal disputes, persistent factionalism, ongoing legal and administrative proceedings, multiple claimants to authority, and the absence of a unified national structure as the core problems. This confusion has left sportspersons uncertain about which body is genuinely authorized to conduct national events and tournaments.
The ministry explicitly stated that this situation is jeopardizing the participation of Indian players at both national and international competitions. Consequently, it is adversely affecting the prospects and careers of current athletes as well as future talents aspiring to represent the country on global stages.
Karate's Multiplicity of Governing Bodies
The case of karate is particularly complex, with no fewer than five organizations each claiming to govern the sport nationally. These include:
- The All India Karate-Do Federation (AIKDF)
- Karate Association of India (KAI)
- Karate India Organisation (KIO)
- Karate India
- The Karate Federation of India (TKFI)
Critically, none of these bodies holds recognition from either the Sports Ministry or the Indian Olympic Association, rendering their claims invalid in official sporting governance.
Handball's Dual Federation Conflict
Similarly, handball faces a governance deadlock with two competing bodies:
- The Handball Association of India (HAI), which is recognized by the International Handball Federation (IHF) and the Asian Handball Federation (AHF).
- The Handball Federation of India (HFI), a newly formed entity established in July 2025.
Despite HAI's international affiliations, neither organization is currently affiliated with the Sports Ministry or the IOA. This lack of domestic recognition has created a vacuum in legitimate administrative authority, directly impacting athlete preparation and selection.
The ministry's intervention through the ad-hoc rule is a decisive step to cut through this bureaucratic impasse. By empowering the IOA to oversee these sports temporarily, the aim is to restore order, ensure merit-based selections, and secure India's participation in the Asian Games without further delay or dispute.
